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specklecommittee's review
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual content
lqndtry14's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Self harm, and Sexual content
Minor: Animal death
starlesscircus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Blood, Body horror, and Gore
ina_pages's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I’d give this 5 stars if not for very minor grammar issues that I believe were addressed in the rewrite. I hope to get my hands on that since I also heard that new scenes were added to it.
This book pulled me out of a reading slump that lasted MONTHS. Rafael’s masterful prose will have you gripped from start to finish and will have you falling in love with characters literally against your own will. It was heartbreaking enough to read about a character you knew was doomed from the start, but this book makes you feel so much for Lucifer that watching his decent from grace was just that much worse.
Highly recommend this book to anyone who’s interested. The author lists down a set of trigger warnings at the start but they are only really applicable in the second half of the book.
If you want a feel good, slow burn, romance-y book then maybe pick this up and just stop after part one (like skip the interlude even) but if you have the headspace for it part two is an intense rollercoaster ride of emotions.
This book pulled me out of a reading slump that lasted MONTHS. Rafael’s masterful prose will have you gripped from start to finish and will have you falling in love with characters literally against your own will. It was heartbreaking enough to read about a character you knew was doomed from the start, but this book makes you feel so much for Lucifer that watching his decent from grace was just that much worse.
Highly recommend this book to anyone who’s interested. The author lists down a set of trigger warnings at the start but they are only really applicable in the second half of the book.
If you want a feel good, slow burn, romance-y book then maybe pick this up and just stop after part one (like skip the interlude even) but if you have the headspace for it part two is an intense rollercoaster ride of emotions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Mental illness, Violence, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, War, Torture, Grief, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Murder, Sexual content, and Self harm
Minor: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
readabookortwo's review
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.0
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS
Okay, Angel's Before Man, where to start. Where can I even start I don't know. For the first part of this book, I was convinced it could be a 5* read, the writing was lyrical, I liked seeing Lucifer create these friendships and relationships with all of the angels it was all so beautiful and heartwarming, all of part one was.
However, things went very wrong very quickly. The bare bones of Lucifer and his descent really start in part one, the way he hates himself and is so insecure of himself and the way meeting Michael is the turning point for him and I feel the bones of Lucifer starting to realise his own worth and beauty really start at the end of part one but obviously continue heavily into part two.
Now, I'm not a religious person and I understand that this book healed a lot of religious trauma for other people I get that, I really, really do but the second half of this book for me, was horrific. I actually started to hate read it. I still do not understand the motivation of God raping Lucifer or for that matter, why Asmodeus assaulted Rosier. I really liked the exploration of God and how maybe He isnt a good person(?) And how He is power hungry, jealous maybe that He is a sinner that He doesnt really love the angels, just wants to feel powerful and the way Lucifer questions that I loved all of that because it's a reading of God I've always had but him raping Lucifer was a big step too far for me and i wish there was a different motivation for Lucifer and his descent into his own Godhood.
You know the book isnt going to have a happily ever after that much is obvious but in a way you absolutely crave it, you want Lucifer to have the happily ever.
The quote "Is Father good because He is good or because He says He is good" is my favourite quote in the book and really showcases what Lucifer is starting to learn about Heaven and God and what is happening around him.
Also the relationship between Michael and Lucifer I'm sorry nah, with them constantly calling each other brother it just nope not here for it I'm sorry.
I also feel like so many sentences could have been cut from this book so much of the prose was so long winded and boring in all honesty.
I know people love this and I respect it and honestly I really do understand why they love it. I however, I cant even say I hated it because I loved the first half but the second half I hated I really did so I'm not even sure where that leaves me to be honest.
Okay, Angel's Before Man, where to start. Where can I even start I don't know. For the first part of this book, I was convinced it could be a 5* read, the writing was lyrical, I liked seeing Lucifer create these friendships and relationships with all of the angels it was all so beautiful and heartwarming, all of part one was.
However, things went very wrong very quickly. The bare bones of Lucifer and his descent really start in part one, the way he hates himself and is so insecure of himself and the way meeting Michael is the turning point for him and I feel the bones of Lucifer starting to realise his own worth and beauty really start at the end of part one but obviously continue heavily into part two.
Now, I'm not a religious person and I understand that this book healed a lot of religious trauma for other people I get that, I really, really do but the second half of this book for me, was horrific. I actually started to hate read it. I still do not understand the motivation of God raping Lucifer or for that matter, why Asmodeus assaulted Rosier. I really liked the exploration of God and how maybe He isnt a good person(?) And how He is power hungry, jealous maybe that He is a sinner that He doesnt really love the angels, just wants to feel powerful and the way Lucifer questions that I loved all of that because it's a reading of God I've always had but him raping Lucifer was a big step too far for me and i wish there was a different motivation for Lucifer and his descent into his own Godhood.
You know the book isnt going to have a happily ever after that much is obvious but in a way you absolutely crave it, you want Lucifer to have the happily ever.
The quote "Is Father good because He is good or because He says He is good" is my favourite quote in the book and really showcases what Lucifer is starting to learn about Heaven and God and what is happening around him.
Also the relationship between Michael and Lucifer I'm sorry nah, with them constantly calling each other brother it just nope not here for it I'm sorry.
I also feel like so many sentences could have been cut from this book so much of the prose was so long winded and boring in all honesty.
I know people love this and I respect it and honestly I really do understand why they love it. I however, I cant even say I hated it because I loved the first half but the second half I hated I really did so I'm not even sure where that leaves me to be honest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Animal death
Moderate: Body horror
jaspilite's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Gore
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Torture
axel_p's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am so torn between loving this book and hating it.
Lucifer had some great ideas but some of his other ideas were less ideal.
Lucifer had some great ideas but some of his other ideas were less ideal.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Classism, War, Child abuse, Blood, Dysphoria, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Mental illness, Animal death, Abandonment, Alcohol, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
pika_berry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A powerful work.
Quite unlike other LGBT fantasy, and warning:bad ending and gore.
Though it has it in the tag, technically, this book is not a genre romance.There is no HEA — a HEA is the prerequisite for a genre romance.
The first 30% or so was quite rough with POV issues.
Words like “ground level shrub” or “mahogany” would be used when it’s the POV of somebody who was literally just created and does not even know what a plant or a tree is.
Is was sometimes hard to tell who’s perspective we have shifted to, and had me wondering who did what. But these issues went away in the middle of the book. I think the writer got better at writing as they went along.
Another major drawback is the portrayal of god. The god is written as a petty, moody, middle aged man. He doesn’t seem very wise nor compassionate. He demands the angels to worship him, and makes dumb decisions.
Like creating an Angel that is supposed to be the most beautiful, and giving him special treatment … this doesn’t seem like a very wise thing to do, even from my limited mortal perspective…
And while I know this is in the original story, I don’t think this book depicted this very well. He feels more like an abusive cult leader than a holy being to me. But perhaps this is because the writer is a modern person, and at the end of rhe day, most modern people snicker at religion and the idea of god. They think it’s superstitious or foolish. It is natural for this broader sentiment to show in their work.
The entirety of the plot is based on poor decision making by this dumb god character, and that could pull you out of the book. I didn’t mind though. I don’t think anybody reads a retelling for plot, tbh.
The drama, the beautiful imagery and the motives make this a compelling read.
The book feels like a fanfic. It’s a retelling, but feels more like fanfic. It’s probably the generic characters. I like it though lol.
I can imagine the story doing well in the Japanese market, perhaps made into a manga.
Quite unlike other LGBT fantasy, and warning:
Though it has it in the tag, technically, this book is not a genre romance.
The first 30% or so was quite rough with POV issues.
Words like “ground level shrub” or “mahogany” would be used when it’s the POV of somebody who was literally just created and does not even know what a plant or a tree is.
Is was sometimes hard to tell who’s perspective we have shifted to, and had me wondering who did what. But these issues went away in the middle of the book. I think the writer got better at writing as they went along.
Another major drawback is the portrayal of god. The god is written as a petty, moody, middle aged man. He doesn’t seem very wise nor compassionate. He demands the angels to worship him, and makes dumb decisions.
Like creating an Angel that is supposed to be the most beautiful, and giving him special treatment … this doesn’t seem like a very wise thing to do, even from my limited mortal perspective…
And while I know this is in the original story, I don’t think this book depicted this very well. He feels more like an abusive cult leader than a holy being to me. But perhaps this is because the writer is a modern person, and at the end of rhe day, most modern people snicker at religion and the idea of god. They think it’s superstitious or foolish. It is natural for this broader sentiment to show in their work.
The entirety of the plot is based on poor decision making by this dumb god character, and that could pull you out of the book. I didn’t mind though. I don’t think anybody reads a retelling for plot, tbh.
The drama, the beautiful imagery and the motives make this a compelling read.
The book feels like a fanfic. It’s a retelling, but feels more like fanfic. It’s probably the generic characters. I like it though lol.
I can imagine the story doing well in the Japanese market, perhaps made into a manga.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
graygarrido's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
In honor of Angels & Man releasing in 2024 I decided to reread Angels Before Man. This was one of my top reads of 2023 and as you can probably tell, one that has followed me into 2024. This Queer retelling of The Fall of Lucifer is as much of an open w*und of religious tr*uma as it is a celebration of queer joy, queer love, & queer bodies.
Rafael Nicolás does an incredible job at making a story both light & full of achingly sweet tenderness & in the same chapter explore the darkness within Religion & the harmful ways in which Religion can be taught to young minds.
One of my favorite themes was of queer identity & the queer Body & its relationship (or lack thereof) with Catholicism. How in this version of Paradise we are shown bodies of all shapes and sizes. Masculine and feminine blur together to create something entirely new, bodies decadently dressed in jewels from head to toe and covered in delicate fabrics.
I saw so much of my young queer self in Lucifer and Michael. The questions, the doubts, the love, the resentment, and most of all the fear. This book is a balm to my inner queer child, & I truly cannot recommend it enough especially if you were raised Catholic like I was.
I cannot wait to see what happens next in this world. & with that I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes:
“So if Lucifer had ever the choice, he might've decided to inspire the Lord's hate, rather than His quiet displeasure. A hand that strikes from the dark is at least proof of a hand. It's kinder to be beaten than to be left untouched.”
Rafael Nicolás does an incredible job at making a story both light & full of achingly sweet tenderness & in the same chapter explore the darkness within Religion & the harmful ways in which Religion can be taught to young minds.
One of my favorite themes was of queer identity & the queer Body & its relationship (or lack thereof) with Catholicism. How in this version of Paradise we are shown bodies of all shapes and sizes. Masculine and feminine blur together to create something entirely new, bodies decadently dressed in jewels from head to toe and covered in delicate fabrics.
I saw so much of my young queer self in Lucifer and Michael. The questions, the doubts, the love, the resentment, and most of all the fear. This book is a balm to my inner queer child, & I truly cannot recommend it enough especially if you were raised Catholic like I was.
I cannot wait to see what happens next in this world. & with that I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes:
“So if Lucifer had ever the choice, he might've decided to inspire the Lord's hate, rather than His quiet displeasure. A hand that strikes from the dark is at least proof of a hand. It's kinder to be beaten than to be left untouched.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault
violetlunablossom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I genuinely have no words to describe how much I loved Angels Before Man. Never before have I read a book that was so raw and profound. Rafael Nicolás is a poetic genius who wove together an intimate story of love, betrayal, and religious trauma. He brings the energy that needed to be present when it came to writing a queer retelling of Satan's fall and I couldn't be more amazed that this was his debut novel.
Lucifer was an extremely compelling protagonist. His transformation from a wide-eyed, vibrant newborn angel to a vengeful, unhinged dissident was tragic and seamless. It all reads like someone who fell out of love with religion (and God), wrestling with feelings of guilt, anger, and overwhelming sorrow while everyone else around you seems normal. Michael, Asmodeus, and Rosier were also wonderfully engrossing supporting characters. Their unique relationships with Lucifer (Michael especially because good God was I hurting by the end) were what made this book in my opinion.
The way that heaven and its hierarchy of angels are portrayed additionally made this whole book for me. Angels have their purposes and tasks and they're not all copy + paste personalities. They're beautiful, nearly androgynous beings, who dress in fine silks and jewels but also enjoy watching violent and frenzied battles in a giant colosseum. Also side note, kudos to Nicolás for not making all his angels white. It's a small detail but reading about angels who have a variety of skin tones has never made me more happy.
Lucifer was an extremely compelling protagonist. His transformation from a wide-eyed, vibrant newborn angel to a vengeful, unhinged dissident was tragic and seamless. It all reads like someone who fell out of love with religion (and God), wrestling with feelings of guilt, anger, and overwhelming sorrow while everyone else around you seems normal. Michael, Asmodeus, and Rosier were also wonderfully engrossing supporting characters. Their unique relationships with Lucifer (Michael especially because good God was I hurting by the end) were what made this book in my opinion.
The way that heaven and its hierarchy of angels are portrayed additionally made this whole book for me. Angels have their purposes and tasks and they're not all copy + paste personalities. They're beautiful, nearly androgynous beings, who dress in fine silks and jewels but also enjoy watching violent and frenzied battles in a giant colosseum. Also side note, kudos to Nicolás for not making all his angels white. It's a small detail but reading about angels who have a variety of skin tones has never made me more happy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Blood, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Violence, and Body horror
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts